The book opens with the turtles battling some 15 gun-toting thugs and mopping up the New York City alleyway with them. Once the police show up, the Turtles head for home in the sewer. The TMNT find Master Splinter and tell him of their victory. Splinter decrees that they are now ready to be told of their mission... a mission of retribution!
Printed: May 1985
Writers: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Art: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Cover: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
- 1st team appearance and origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo
- 1st appearance of Splinter, the Turtles' mentor
- 1st appearance and death of the Shredder
- 1st cover appearance of the Shredder
- 4th printing, wraparound cover
